Showing 1-68 of 68 items found in Events

This beloved American holiday classic comes to the stage as a 1940’s radio broadcast. With the help of the signature 40’s sound-effects, actors bring us Capra’s unforgettable story. George Bailey lives his life selflessly, always putting others before himself. Wanting nothing more than to leave his hometown of Bedford Falls and see the world, George’s unwavering loyalty keeps him in the small town. Down on his luck on Christmas Eve, George considers if his family would be better off if he had never been born and with the help of an angel looking to earn his wings, George discovers just how much he has influenced the small town of Bedford Falls. A touching and timeless story for the whole family. See website for exact dates and showtimes.

Hear that? Yes, it's the sound of bells a-jingling already. Next thing you know dreidels are spinning and pumpkin-spiced everything is everywhere. Now your family is in town, you're numbed to frosty snowmen and Black Friday bargains...and it's not even December! Thankfully The Second City is here with the perfect upheaval of your holiday malaise: Holidazed bursts the monotony of the season with a riotous send-up of all things holiday. Put your turkey baster down and laugh until your cheeks flush with ho-ho-holidazed joy!

Head to the Depot District for the 9th Annual Cruise Nites presented by Berwyn Kia, Paisans Pizzeria & Bar, Mike & Sons Auto Services, Cicero Auto Parts, Deece Automotive! Cruise Nites take place on Tuesdays from 6-9pm in the Depot District at Windsor & Grove Avenues steps away from the Berwyn Metra Station. Enjoy your summe evenings while taking a stroll through a combination of car show and nightlife.

Head to the Depot District on Tuesday, August 6th for a combination of car show and nightlife. Evening begins at 6pm in the Depot District at Windsor & Grove Avenues steps away from the Berwyn Metra Station.

Come down to the Depot District and enjoy Cruise Nites with other families, residents and car enthusiasts. Learn more about Berwyn's proud classic car culture and historical automotive heritage. Cruise Nites are free! Just show up and have a great time!

Halloween fun awaits families at Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo celebration. The popular daytime event, presented by Fisher-Price, features a Costume Parade, Costume Showcase, professional pumpkin-carving demonstrations, not-so-scary games and activities, special animal Zoo Chats, and haunted hayrides. For more information, visit www.CZS.org or call (708) 688-8000.

Chicagoland's longest-running lights festival is back and ready to dazzle families with more than one million LED lights. Brookfield Zoo's 35th annual Holiday Magic, presented by ComEd and Meijer, offers guests 12 enchanted evenings to enjoy the lights, and so much more, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, and the week of December 26-31. For more information and a complete schedule of Holiday Magic activities and entertainment, visit CZS.org/HolidayMagic or call 708.688.8000. Guests will also receive a schedule of events when they arrive.

The Christkindlmarket is a four-week, open-air market modeled after the famous Nuremberg Christmas market dating back to 1545. The market offers shopping opportunities and serves as a winter wonderland meeting place for family and friends. Plus, enjoy German delicacies like brats, goulash and potato pancakes while you’re there.

Enter a winter wonderland illuminated by the laughter of children and more than one million lights at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual ZooLights. This holiday classic has become one of the Windy City’s must-see seasonal events. Join us for the brilliance of this fun, free, family-oriented holiday celebration, featuring luminous displays and holiday-season activities throughout zoo grounds. Animal exhibits stay open late as guests roam taking in the lights, music and taking photos with Santa. Prepare holiday crafts and enjoy the zoo’s incredible animals immersed in an atmosphere unlike any other.

As is tradition, the museum's 45-foot Grand Tree takes center stage in the Rotunda decked out in 30,000 lights. It takes on a different theme each year so expect giant gears to be part of the decor to match the special MSI exhibit, Robot Revolution. Surrounding it will be more than 50 smaller trees beautifully decorated by volunteers from Chicago communities to represent their various cultures and holiday traditions. The occasional falling of "snow" adds to the fun. . New this year, and in conjunction with MSI’s Brick by Brick exhibit, guests can create their own holiday trinket to remember their visit—a LEGO® ornament.

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show brings springtime to winter with its 20 lush gardens, beautiful and fragrant flowers, trees and other plants allowing “newbie” gardeners and experts alike to experience the latest the industry has to offer. Top garden builders create fresh designs, while nationally-known presenters teach visitors how to get that professional garden look. It's all happening at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Be among the first to see new plant varieties for 2017 and experience the newly-redesigned Navy Pier. Enjoy art, free kids activities, wine tastings, cooking demos from noted chefs, and a shopper's paradise of garden gadgets, jewelry, and more. Special rates available for groups.

Discover the magic of Chicago's mysterious 1893 World's Fair through the eyes of a child in the Joffrey's astounding new Nutcracker -- brilliantly reimagined by Tony Award®-winning choreographer Wheeldon. Be part of dance history as they celebrate this beloved city and unlock a world of wonder for the 21st century. An electrifying holiday tale that will leave you breathless.

Shakespeare 400 Chicago is a yearlong international arts festival in 2016 celebrating the vibrancy, relevance and reach of Shakespeare. As the world commemorates the four hundred years since Shakespeare’s death in 1616, Shakespeare 400 Chicago will engage more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors to our City through 850 events.

Explore the power of play at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago’s new temporary exhibition, Brick by Brick, opening March 10. Brick by Brick features a spectacular collection of more than a dozen LEGO®-built structures of engineering marvels, including a 60-foot-long Golden Gate Bridge, the International Space Station, St. Louis Gateway Arch, Hoover Dam, Roman Colosseum, the Burj Khalifa and more. These models are constructed by LEGO Certified Professional and Chicago native, Adam Reed Tucker. Guests will also experience hands-on building challenges that reinforce key principles of engineering, construction and architecture—and encourage creativity. Throughout the exhibit, guests learn how architects and engineers push the limits of design, materials and location to make the seemingly impossible, possible; witness how form follows function; and learn how building beautifully uplifts us all.

Are you a procrastinator when it comes to holiday shopping? Are you at your most productive when the stress of a quickly approaching holiday is giving you a little extra motivation? Then join us for our second night of Late Night Andersonville, just a little “late-er” than usual. On Friday, December 16 from 6-10pm, take advantage of 4 more hours of the same discounts from Late Night Andersonville, plus once again enjoy free entertainment, refreshments, and pictures with Santa.

One of Andersonville’s many traditional Swedish events, St. Lucia begins with a torch-lit procession down the sidewalks of Clark Street at 4:45 p.m., kicking off at the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St. The procession highlight is the appearance of the specially chosen “Lucia Girls,” who will lead the crowd, wearing long white robes and beautiful crowns of candles and singing “The Lucia Song.” Children and adults are welcome to join in the procession. Afterwards, all participants are invited to the Lucia celebration at the Swedish American Museum. The Lucia celebration features a telling of the Lucia legend, family entertainment by Dream Big Performing Arts, and Swedish holiday treats including traditional “pepparkakor” ginger snaps. Admission is $1 or can of food to benefit Care for Real, Edgewater’s food pantry.

It might be the nicest apartment in the building, but it can’t possibly be enough to make up for the day that Annie has had. A nasty breakup, an on-air meltdown, and a fledgling romance have left her faithless and heartbroken. So when a simple visit from an enigmatic new neighbor starts to change things for the better, Annie has to ask: is it fate? Luck? Or… divine intervention? The cast includes Wardell Clark, Peter DeFaria, Jose Tony Garcia, Eleni Pappageorge, and Daniel Smith. The playwright, Jeff Daniels, is the award-winning actor and musician known for his role on The Newsroom.

Above and Beyond offers guests the opportunity to explore innovations in aviation and aerospace, from the first powered flights to space travel, through hands-on experiences and virtual simulations. In Above and Beyond, guests can learn about the scientific principles that allow us to fly and explore farther through exhibition features such as a group flying experience with motion-sensing technology that simulates the flight of a bird in a flock; a simulated space elevator that transports guests to the edge of space; a virtual design challenge that allows guests to create and race their own supersonic fighter-jet against other pilots; and more. Throughout Above and Beyond, guests explore the scientific concepts behind flight and learn how humans continue to discover innovative ways to fly faster and higher, challenging the limits of both our world and outer space.

Chicago Theatre Week is a celebration of Chicago’s world-class theatre scene. Presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago, Chicago Theatre Week is returning for its fifth year and will take place February 9-19, 2017. This February, visitors and residents will again have the opportunity to choose from more than 100 productions and sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings in Chicago. February 9 – 19, 2017. $15 and $30 tickets (or less!)

Step into the fantastical imagination of Maurice Sendak, author and illustrator of the beloved children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are. In this special exhibit, you’ll explore 50 original artworks by the creative genius, including sketches, illustrations and works on paper. Presidents, illustrators, friends and celebrities also share their words about the renowned author—how he influenced their careers and touched their lives.

The Garfield Park Conservatory, considered the largest indoor conservatory of its kind in the country, showcases vibrant and festive flora with its annual holiday flower show. This year's exhibit, titled Sky Forest, evokes a walk through delicate wintry woods by highlighting snow-topped branches and towering fir trees. The free exhibit will run from November 24, 2016-January 8, 2017.

The Progressive® Insurance Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show® is the perfect oasis for escaping frigid winter temperatures this January! This mega show features hundreds of powerboats, sailboats and RVs on display for attendees to view, board and shop, plus the latest in outdoor and marine accessories and technology, and plenty of hands-on interactive & educational activities for everyone. Powerboats, RVs and sailboats will be showcased in three distinct areas to make it easy for attendees to navigate the show and find what they are looking for.

Fountain Square Art Festival is the largest and oldest fine arts fair on Chicago's majestic North Shore. Featuring the eclectic works of more than 150 juried artists, a popular children's art tent with fun activities overseen by the acclaimed Evanston Art Center, food and a soothing jazz-centric music lineup. Location: Church & Sherman in Downtown Evanston.

For the first time this holiday season, Santa’s Magical Trolley Express will have trolley rides through downtown Evanston, and then travel back to Santa’s North Pole workshop at Little Beans Café. The odyssey begins when the little ones board the trolley. They will be greeted by Mrs. Claus and the conductor, professional performers who know how to entertain kids, and build excitement as they journey north on their polar trek. Upon arrival at Santa’s North Pole abode—Little Beans Café—they will visit with old St. Nick, get a picture and let Santa know what they hope to find under the tree. Next comes cookies and cocoa with Mrs. Claus, some exciting Yuletide games with the elves and a special surprise.

Take a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty at the Chicago Botanic Garden when we kick off the holiday season! Outside, 750,000 lights sparkle and welcome you and your family to the Garden's wonderland. Inside the Regenstein Center, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Paul Busse, designer of the Model Railroad Garden, created this amazing exhibition exclusively for the Garden's holiday celebration.

Together, adults and children can explore cool things about how plants connect to science, art, history, and culture. Each program includes a variety of hands-on activities and projects, as well as opportunities to bring the Garden home. Programs run from November through April on Saturdays.

Wonderland Express is one of the Chicago area’s top holiday “must-sees,” and a family-friendly, made-for-memories experience. Bring the smartphones and video cameras, as our holiday exhibition delights children and parents, friends and families. Kids, look for Thomas the Tank Engine!

Its the best eye candy ever! The Regenstein Center Greenhouses and Galleries are transformed by trees draped in orange and yellow Dendrobium, a hanging hedge of pink and purple Beallara, and vibrant Vanda in orange, red, yellow, and even blue. See more than 10,000 orchids in all. Bring a camera.

Head to the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview for its newest exhibit: Children's China. Children’s China portrays the present-day activities that Chinese families practice, as well as their roots in Confucius’ teachings. Read Confucius’ quotes, explore hands-on activities, and immerse yourself in innovative technology and authentic artifacts to gain an understanding of Confucius' impact on modern Chinese life.

Tour the Pollyanna Brewing Company brewery along the I&M Canal,enjoy our tap room,share the experience of fresh, flavorful, craft beer-locally in Lemont, Illinois. Pollyanna Brewing Company experiments with local fruits and spices, seasonal lagers, barrel-aging, wild yeast and bacteria, and cider-beers on occasion.

Singin' in The Rain is based on the 1952 American musical comedy film. It offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late '20s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to talkies. This play will offer the audience some splashy old-fashioned fun.

A new musical of this classic tale comes to life for children of all ages when Marie receives a beautiful nutcracker for Christmas from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. When the Nutcracker comes to life, it’s a magical journey to reach the Sugar Plum fairy before the wicked Mouse King. A special one-hour presentation for kids of all ages, featuring Tchaikovsky's beautiful dance music.

ABBA’s hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father on a Greek island paradise. After reading her mom’s diary from one carefree summer 20 years ago, Sophie secretly invites the three men her mom wrote about to her wedding. Set to the classic songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is the enchanting and unforgettable tale of love, laughter, family and friendship.

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hop Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto our stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. A special one-hour presentation for kids (and parents) of all ages. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score,

Illumination is where lights meet nature, harnessing technology to draw attention to the beauty of trees in the winter months. Immerse yourself in a symphony of music and light at our interactive experience of dazzling projections, sweeping lights, sparkling chandeliers, and lilting melodies on a mile-long walk through the Arboretum.

See Siberian husky sled pulling, skijoring, and speed demonstrations. Visit with the dogs and sled team, inspect the equipment, and have your photo taken with the rig during this yearly event. Please leave pets at home.

The popular Enchanted Railroad pulls into The Morton Arboretum this January! Children and families can enjoy our intricate model railroad as it winds through a four-season display. Watch as more than 10 model trains run on a two-level, larger-than-life platform.

Charming, historic downtown Long Grove is the destination for the holiday season. Visitors will enjoy a variety of family fun beginning Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve. Weekends enjoy caroling, Santa strolling around for photo ops, horse-drawn carriage rides and more! Plus, the Free Gift Program continues through December 24th. Long Grove will provide a free gift to customers that spend $150 in our shops and restaurants. Gifts available at the Visitor's Center.

A beloved holiday tradition is coming to Naper Settlement in Naperville. Experience a traditional German holiday market with all the sights, sounds, and magic as well as delicious smells and treats, wonderful handmade ornaments and gifts. Traditional wooden huts will be filled with one-of-a-kind gifts including woodcarvings and delicious German delicacies harkening back to the original Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremburg, Germany. Open November 25 - December 24

Welcome warmer weather and shake off cabin fever during Naper Settlement’s annual tribute to the changing of the seasons. Learn the time-honored method of collecting sap the old-fashioned way and see a maple tree tapping demonstration. Enjoy hands-on activities and presentations that recount Illinois’ Native American heritage and pioneer past and try a tasty maple treat. Each of the historic buildings will have a different theme and special activities for families to enjoy.

Take a self-guided tour of public art from June 2 to September 2 as part of the 2nd annual Sculpture Walk in downtown Oak Park. The walk features 12 world-class sculptures prominently placed among Oak Park's many shops and restaurants.

Amadeus, the renowned tale of Mozart as seen through the eyes of his most envious competitor, composer Antonio Salieri. The play is an interesting representative style of the style and values of the time. Jeff Recommended!

Seeking a way to announce the emerging Arts District, galleries and building owners in partnership with the Oak Park Arts Council inaugurated Art on Harrison in 1995. Conceived of as an informal Friday evening gallery walk, the event has continued each September since its inception, expanding to include entertainment and performances at participating galleries. Come out and see what the area has to offer in a convivial atmosphere, a celebration of what the creative spirits of this community have accomplished.

Join us on Tuesday, August 6th from 12-9pm for Downtown Oak Park's authentic urban French Street Festival! Featuring: art exhibits by local artists, special showing of a French film, Can-Can dancers, French music by "Paris La Nuit," Poodle Parade, French lessons, Fresh made crepes, Wine tastings, Sidewalk chalk contest, Bike Rentals, and much more!

John Binder, a local mob historian and author of "The Chicago Outfit", conducts the popular There Goes the Neighbor Hood tour. Running from early spring to late fall each year, the tour showcases local gangster history through Oak Park and River Forest with visits to 15 houses that were once occupied by major mobsters. Binder sprinkles in facts about the criminal careers of the former owners, unique features of each home, and rare information about the family's time spent there.The tour lasts approximately two hours and travels by minibus with no walking required. The tour departs from (and returns to) the Oak Park Visitor Center.

Celebrate the holiday season the old-fashioned way in the heart of Oak Park at Home for the Holidays, a free and family-friendly annual event. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride down festively decorated brick roads, visit with Santa, explore the area's eclectic lineup of charming shops, catch a free movie screening of a holiday favorite at the Lake Theatre, and more! All events and activities are free.

The Park District of Oak Park presents Winter Fest, a free family-friendly event at the expansive space of Taylor Park. Enjoy games in the snow, horse-drawn carriage rides, roasting s'mores around a campfire, festive tunes, sledding, rich hot chocolate, and more at this beloved annual event!

Piano sensation and popular radio host Jim Brickman will be bringing songs and feelings of the season to Dominican University's Performing Arts Center with Comfort & Joy, his 2016 holiday tour and the 20th anniversary of his original Christmas concert. Combining beloved holiday classics and festive original compositions, Brickman's enchanting sound and presence evokes the warm sentiments of family and togetherness.Tickets range from $23 to $53 and are available at www.events.dom.edu.

The Cernan Earth & Space Center, a unique and sprawling space-age facility conveniently located on the Triton College campus in River Grove, combines education and entertainment with shows year round. The special seasonal exhibit, called Holiday Lights, is a jaw-dropping cosmic light show featuring carefully selected holiday tunes accompanied by thousands of starry and brilliantly lit images. Meant to evoke the feeling of a wintry night sky full of drifting snowflakes, Holiday Lights will have the entire family feeling the holiday spirit!

The Frederick Law Olmsted Society is pleased to offer great opportunities to learn about our historic landmark village. Discover the winding roads, delightful parks, beautiful landscapes, varied architecture and much more!

The Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s annual production of the Nutcracker continues to delight audiences of all ages. A corps of professional dancers leads a large cast in Tchaikovsky’s magical ballet, following the dreamlike adventures of a young girl who, with the help of an enchanting toymaker, encounters leaping Russians, waltzing flowers, twirling snowflake maidens and more. Complete with grand sets and vibrant costumes, this Nutcracker is not to be missed. Friday, Saturday and Sunday showings only.

An exciting weekend workshop, just for dancers ages 8-13! Camp PULSE features the masterminds behind your favorite Nickelodeon and Disney TV Shows and Movies, including: Shake It Up, iCarly, Camp Rock, Victorious, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and MORE! Dancers and teachers walk away from our conventions inspired and motivated to reach their next goals in dance. Our faculty and staff are proud of their dedication to building genuine relationships through personal interaction with dancers, parents and teachers. We realize there are many options out there for a dancer’s education, and we hope you will join us for a dance experience of a lifetime!

Step out of the cold and into a winter wonderland filled with LEGO brick. Throughout the month of December, young brick fans are invited to play seasonal games and deck the halls with loads of brick-tastic holiday fun!

The two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian is a towering figure on television, on tour and in publishing. She breaks through the entertainment clutter with her universally recognized brand of pull-no-punches comedy. See her perform at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie on February 18.

The dramatic story behind one of the world’s most notorious escaped Nazi war criminals being brought to justice is told using recently declassified artifacts from the Mossad, Israel’s Secret Intelligence Service. This is the first time this exhibition has ever left the State of Israel and the first exhibition in the United States to fully document the pursuit, capture, extradition and 1961 trial of a principal perpetrator of The Final Solution.

The sixth annual Tinley Park Golf Expo will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center from February 10-12, 2017. It is open to the public and provides the golf community with a fresh, exciting option for a winter golf show.

These shows are the best places for the general public and breeders alike to come out & meet many of the World's top reptile breeders. Reptile breeders bring out their top projects & showcase them at the NARBC Shows.The shows also provide a chance to meet some of your favorite TV personalities such as Mark O'Shea, Nigel Marven, Donald Schultz, Ton Jones and a few up and comers that you will soon be watching on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel! We welcome you get up close and personal with some of the rarest and also some of the best "beginner pet" reptiles the reptile breeding community has to offer!

The annual Discover Tinley Expo showcases the community's business and nonprofit organizations, as well as its government services. Visit Discover Tinley to learn more about what your Village has to offer. This free event features entertainment, food samples and giveaways at many of the booths. 10AM-3PM

Holly Days, sponsored by the Warrenville Park District is the City's annual holiday celebration that marks Santa's official entry into Warrenville. Guests can enjoy a warm bonfire, raffles, free horse and carriage rides, hot cider and cookies, and, of course, a visit with Santa. Local Park District and school dance troops, singers, and bands entertain attendees during the event. It is at this event that Warrenville officially turns on its holiday lights creating an array of colors for passersby along Route 56 to see. Holly Days, primarily for Warrenville residents, gives the community an opportunity to come together and kick off the holiday season.

Cantigny Park’s popular LEGO® Train Show is a holiday tradition for many families. The show transforms the entire Cantigny Visitors Center into a virtual wonderland for LEGO® fans. Le Jardin, the Visitor Center’s restaurant and banquet room, is home to the primary LEGO® diorama where creative new elements are added each year. Secondary displays and a free craft activity occupy the building’s main gallery area and meeting room.